In the Midwest, weather can be very unpredictable and change in a matter of minutes. This year, March 1-5, is designated as Missouri Severe Weather Preparedness Week. With spring right around the corner, it's important to be weather aware and have a plan in place. On Tuesday, March 2, a statewide tornado drill will take place at 10am, and residents are encouraged to treat the drill as if it were an actual tornado warning. For more information and resources, visit StormAware or the National Weather Service.

In the coming months, residents will see a big change when visiting the Recycling Center. As part of the project to relocate the sewer line maintenance facility, the Public Works and Transportation Department will also make changes to the Recycling Center to accommodate the sale of the sewer line maintenance site and the vacant lot to the south. The lot layout will change to accommodate a new driveway, which will enter from the south off the driveway of the former Kmart location. Customers will no longer enter and exit directly from the Belt Highway. 

We frequently hear about the impact COVID-19 has on, well, everything. This couldn’t be truer when it comes to lifeguarding, including the training and education. Prior to COVID-19, typical personal protective equipment, or PPE, included gloves, a pocket mask and a rescue tube. While aquatic staff does have more advanced equipment at each facility, this equipment was something which would be brought into a rescue situation as needed. Now, with the increased need for personal and patron protection, each lifeguard station will have additional rescue equipment within reach. Additional PPE during rescue situations include gowns, face shields and BVM’s with filters which are now part of the standard lifeguard toolbox. 

Not only did equipment needs change, but so did training. The goal is to ensure the safest environment possible for both the rescuers and victim. Classroom sessions previously led in-person are now completed online and through a virtual format. In-person skills practices require some adjustment to ensure social distancing along with the use of face coverings. Class sizes are now smaller to limit contact with others. Skills have been adapted to include rescuer-specific responsibilities, along with modifications allowing improved use of equipment. During practice, in-water manikins fill in as “victims” to further ensure appropriate social distancing and safety. 

One of the most important changes is high frequency cleaning and sanitizing to further ensure a safe environment for everyone. As we embark into this new era of lifeguarding, it’s exciting to see how quickly staff can adapt to the latest research and safety recommendations. As professional rescuers, it is their responsibility to keep the community safe. For more information about lifeguard jobs with the city and lifeguard training, email the aquatics staff at aquatics@stjoemo.org.

The St. Joseph Gun and Knife Show will be back at the St. Joseph Civic Arena March 13-14. With 250 tables of ammo, knives, hunting gear, shot guns and handguns, this two day event will feature gun dealers from six states. This year's event sponsors are Rolling Hills Auto Plaza and Bulls Eye Gun Shops. Discount coupons to the show can be picked up from either location.

Stormwater runoff is generated from rain and snowmelt which flows over land or hard surfaces, like pavement and building rooftops, preventing the runoff from soaking into the ground. These hard surfaces are called impervious surfaces. The runoff flows over impervious surfaces picking up pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, dirt/sediment and even temperature which can harm our local water bodies.

Each of these control measures is further refined in the permit to include several activities and targets. The SWMP must detail how the city will meet those targets including best management practices that will be implemented, measurable goals, schedule for completion and evaluation of program components. The draft SWMP and a public comment form are available for residents to use to provide feedback through the month of March. A public hearing will also be held on March 30, at 6pm at City Hall.

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